Justine R. Mbabazi is the author of This Is Your Time, Rwanda, a book that details the courageous and heart-felt journey of the Rwandan people from the horrors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to a brilliant national renaissance.

She is an international lawyer and development practitioner with an impressive career trail in human rghts, gender equality, legal and judicial reforms, as well conflict management. A regular humanitarian volunteer in Rwanda, she is also a renowned visiting scholar and lecturer at various universities across the globe.

In what ways does your book tie into current political trends around the globe?

Current news trends indicate global national stressors that have led to numerous current events such as revolts like the Arab Spring that have led to the overthrow of governments across the world. There have been increased unrest in third world countries leading to increased violence, ethnic clashes and a host of other maladies. These same type stressors are what caused massive destruction in Rwanda.  

My book offers hope and solutions on how to avoid catastrophic conditions. For nation rebuilding after regime change, it provides a pathway of light on how to get this done effectively and non-violently. Rwandans understand national stressors in the most unimaginable way and if we could rebuild after losing over a million people in 100 days, any nation has hope. 

We are a light that many around the world do not know about because the media focus has been on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.  They have missed the total renaissance of our country, which is now one of the fastest growing economies and developing nations on the world. y book offers hope, healing and strategies that helped us to become what we are today–a brilliant nation.

What are some of the major themes that the book explores?

My book addresses itself to such issues as peaceful coexistence between ethnicity and countries, the power of forgiveness and reconciliation to restore national stability, the need to regularly evaluate justice and legal reformation in every country, the value of all citizens understanding the role of government, and the value of all citizens understanding the power of national solidarity.

My book also tackles the largely ignored issue of how Rwanda’s loss can positively impact global change in distressed nations, and how the need for hope and optimism is critical in national stability.

Why do you think people should read your book?

My book is an inspiration for those individuals, ordinary citizens, civil society leaders, political leaders, religious leaders and everyone who needs to learn the way of rebuilding a nation or a society and even rebuilding oneself as an individual.

The book is about the reality of genocide against the Tutsi that happened in 1994. The people lost everything but never gave up. It unfolds the tangible rebirth of a nation and identifies real measurable results of the power of reformation. I believe we all need a word of inspiration for national solidarity.

The people who should read my book are those seeking solutions to political unrest, national atrocities, persons that believe in positive global change and individuals seeking recovery from trauma. The book will also be of great interest to those looking for a historical perspective on the Rwandan genocide and recovery. It will also be of great interest to students and youth who seek to learn from history and develop values that will bring about the best future for their current society.

Groups of people will include the average citizen, researchers, scholars, human rights and humanitarian workers, civil society organisations, activists, private companies that are seeking economic development partnerships, investors, high school, college and university students and administrators in colleges and universities, government leaders, libraries and bookstores. Women in oppressive countries will be inspired by this book as they will discover tips and best practices on effectively advancing leadership in their own societies.

Lastly, what words of inspiration do you have for readers out there? 

I truly hope this book will help people to better understand and value their country.  It is a great honor and blessing to have a country.  Rwandans were on the brink of total country annihilation.  

People who have not gone through that type of severity have no idea of the true value of just having a country to live in. They do not understand the tragedy of being refugees and wondering if your country will literally exist when the unrest is over.  We were fortunate to have a country to return to, but it took bloodshed.

My book proclaims there is another way. My book proclaims that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect peace and integrity of their country and that failing to do so can have severe consequences. It advances the cause of heroism and patriotism.

Simple acts that citizens can perform every day have a tremendous ability to keep peace and harmony.

My mission is to help the media and nations not define Rwandan’s by the genocide against the Tutsi, but to define us by our outstanding reformation, our patriotism and our brilliant leadership under President Kagame. We are progressing economically, socially, and technologically. Our nation can bring hope to those still struggling to make a difference in their own societies.